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Knives of the New York Custom Knife Show - 2012

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Hi friends,

I REALLY enjoyed this show. The NJ NYCKS locale is close to our home (1 hour), the show promoters (Fifty Fifty Productions) do a fantastic job and are VERY well liked, and the Show itself is popular and exciting. (Props to Steve D'Lack, Kylee, and Cricket for their work.)

This Fall show has a different flavor than the Spring Show. It's more tactical in nature than the March ECCKS (at the same venue), although not dominant by any means. There is something for EVERYONE.

Classy badges on a lanyard --- Kylee and Peter fooling around while working the door --- One of my posters next to my Slideshow going all day long.

The outside of the hall before the show began:

Here's my wife Susan bustling about. This was the LARGE room I am afforded with to shoot in. It's spacious, well lit, and only a few steps beyond the elevators and the *ahem* restrooms...

The show came close behind Hurricane Sandy, and as the old adage goes: The Show must go on! It was affected by the storm, yet it effected a huge benefit despite this.

One of the drawbacks to working at a show is how much I miss. I know there was a TON of donations to the NY/NJ Red Cross Relief efforts, and I hope someone else can help me fill in the makers and the knives they contributed as well as anything else that was relevant.

We had plenty of work to keep us going, and it was one of the first shows in memory which also allowed me to frequent the show hall in between projects. What a pleasure!

Aldo Bruno is the NJ Steel Baron. Well-regarded and known to ALL knifemakers. He has a heart of gold and an eye for quality makers.
He's pointed more than a couple of uber-talented, up-and-comers to me to get their work shown. Often on HIS dime!

Case in point: Ramon Chavez from NM. He wasn't at the show, but this came in just before and was delivered back to Aldo at the site. Yup, It's good work.

Philip Booth has been making unique smaller knives for years. Here he showed he can do a more traditional 'dress tactical'

Brian Fellhoelter hails from AZ, and came to this show. Very highly-regarded maker. Nothing but upper grade materials for this dress tactical.

Aaron Frederick showed how he can make a framelock for $300 and sell them all. That's the way!

And he also showed his confederate colors on this colorful piece.

David Mirabile has won Best Fighter at Blade. This piece was a delivery to a client (maker) at this show. What a startling combination of old-tradition and hi-tech materials.

EDITED: The stand is carved from an ancient walrus jawbone.
I am clueless that one should NEVER display this style knife in it's stand with the edge down. David deserved better than this, and I take all the heat.
Guilty as charged. (Also: forgive the oily blade.)

Last year Aldo brought in Brian Nadeau's work. This year he came to me direct. Pull your chair up if you like precision machining and really good engineering.

This knife was one of the more exciting pieces that I liked. This is one of a couple of proto's Brian has made. It's built like a tank, yet is round and supple in the hand.
I completely want one. He's going to do a few blade styles, and hasn't figured out how to incorporate a clip without looking like an add-on. Yet. When he does it will be intentional.

F&F = A+. BTW: His website name is SharpByDesign.com. LOL! Has a nice ring to it!

Lastly, Rich Poirier is a protege of Wally Hayes. Both from Canada. Look for the skull in the handle!

More soon. PLEASE share your stories of these makers or your own faves.

Great images Coop! Thanks for capturing the show, the great knives, and thanks for the kind words. We always enjoy seeing everyone.

In regards to the silent auction for the American Red Cross, you can see a list of donors and donations here... http://www.fiftyfiftyproductions.net...eriorPages=166.
We surpassed our goal, and raised over $15,200 for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. Thanks to all of our knifemakers, exhibitors, and collectors for banding together and donating such quality knives and products, and for making the auction such a big success. We would also like to thank everyone who bid on the auction items. We truly appreciate everyone's generosity and support.

Great images Coop! Thanks for capturing the show, the great knives, and thanks for the kind words. We always enjoy seeing everyone.

In regards to the silent auction for the American Red Cross, you can see a list of donors and donations here... http://www.fiftyfiftyproductions.net...eriorPages=166.
We surpassed our goal, and raised over $15,200 for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts. Thanks to all of our knifemakers, exhibitors, and collectors for banding together and donating such quality knives and products, and for making the auction such a big success. We would also like to thank everyone who bid on the auction items. We truly appreciate everyone's generosity and support.

This year's entries are saddled with relevance in the history of 'custom' knives.

First is a RW Loveless boot knife. This one was specially made for this CIA member. I'll let Art explain it best:

The Loveless is a Lawndale Ivory boot knife, with the handle having applied paratrooper wings. The front silver one having one star above signifying a combat jump, the back set of wings are gold with two stars depicting two combat jumps. The original owner was Pat H Dailey, a CIA operative that taught Paratrooper training to the Chinese in the 1950's and early 1960's

I took a few photos of the documentation that Art has acquired with this piece:

Our second entrant has a more gruesome, yet gripping tale. This was made around 1958, and it's a sure thing it was created by Bo Randall himself. I was told the cost, and it's WELL into the four figures.

Art's comments:

The Ary Tendon Cutter is one of three known special purpose knives made by Randall knives around 1958. This knife is the only one known to have a supplied sheath that I believe was made by Jimmy Stockman for Randall.

He acquired this knife from the collection of the late Rhett Stidham. Below is the correspondence Rhett and Gaddis (?) typed in 1992. I shot and compiled this so you might read it as well.